LOS ANGELES — Paul Crouch, the televangelist who founded one of the world’s largest
Christian broadcasting networks, died on Saturday at age 79.

Trinity Broadcasting Network, also known as TBN — the company Crouch set up with his wife, Jan —
beamed Christian programs over 84 satellite channels and more than 18,000 television and cable
affiliates, according to its website.

Crouch left his job as general manager of a San Bernardino, Calif., broadcaster in 1973, then
bought and expanded a California television station.

TBN went on to broadcast over, among others, Smile of a Child children’s channel and the Church
Channel.